Man Utd V Reading at Old Trafford : Match Preview

18 Feb 2013 17:08:35

Striker Robin van Persie wants to play every game for Manchester United.

With the second leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid to come and a Premier League title within their grasp, the Dutchman could be forgiven for hoping for a day off on Monday when United face Reading in the FA Cup.

But that is not the way the 29-year-old sees it.

"I have found out that when you play for Manchester United, every game is a big game," he said.

"There are some extra-special matches - like when you play City or Liverpool in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League - but the so-called smaller games are important also because winning those games makes you champions.

"Personally, I love to play all of the games.

"You get into a rhythm. I get used to having a game every three days and when you don't play for a week, it can take maybe 10 or 15 minutes to get your rhythm back.

"I want to play against Reading. I want to keep going, playing all of the games.

"I love the intensity of playing for United. It is great to be involved in huge games when you don't know what is going to happen.

"You get more out of it when there is a thin line between winning and losing.

"I love the buzz, the drama, the excitement. I live for that. I can't imagine the day when I have to stop playing. I know I will miss the buzz so much."

Meanwhile, Javier Hernandez has claimed David de Gea will be the best keeper in the world within the next two years.

De Gea has come in for huge amounts of criticism at times following his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2011, most of it centred around the difficulties he has had dealing with crosses and the physicality of the Premier League.

There was still some evidence of that weakness on Wednesday night, when De Gea produced what is widely acknowledged to be his best appearance for United, making a string of fine saves in the Champions League draw with Real Madrid.

"A lot of people who know about football know that David is a top-class goalkeeper," Hernandez told MUTV.

"That is why Manchester United bought him.

"They saw how good he can be. If he wasn't at the right level to play at this club he wouldn't be here and they are trying to look after him.

"To me, he is a complete goalkeeper. You see the great saves he made on Wednesday. He can also play with his feet, which is very useful to see in a goalkeeper.

"Other people are speaking about when he has to go out and clear the corners and free-kicks. They say that is the weak part of his game.

"But I think he is doing brilliant and in a couple of years he will be the number one in the world."

Reading manager Brian McDermott accepts Reading have been handed the "hardest possible" FA Cup fifth-round tie, but will not be pushing the panic button if his side are chasing the game again in the closing stages.

The Royals have recovered some form in their battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League, collecting 10 points out of a possible 15 since the start of the year.

That upturn in fortunes has been down in no small part to McDermott's men showing a never-say-die attitude which has seen them coming from 2-0 down with eight minutes left to beat West Brom 3-2, before then hitting two goals in the final three minutes to snatch a draw against Chelsea.

Although the Royals could not produce a repeat performance at Stoke last weekend, McDermott is confident his squad have the battling qualities to test United right through to the final whistle at Old Trafford.

"Since I have been manager, I have been lucky enough to get a lot of great wins, coming from behind, and we were really unfortunate not to be able to do it again last week," McDermott said on Reading Player.

"Obviously we don't want to concede, but if we do, we know this team will keep going to the end.

"While you can't rely on a late comeback, you know if you are in that situation, the players have that heart and desire to come back."